Olivia rushed down the stairs in panic knowing how embarrassing their appearance would be. It was already long past 10 am and the meeting was set at 10:30 am. Gregory was still not back from the house. He said he should change his clothes from the party to avoid talking at the media center.
She looked again nervous at her watch, her impatience being part of the wish to get things over with Leo, see what he was up to. Olivia walked by the living room looking for Rose and Trey as she had to laugh at the fact that both Gregory and Rose ended up staying here, even if unofficially.
"Good God!" She jumped back noticing Bette and some man lying on the sofa, half naked. How did Gregory not say anything about this? Or Rose? They probably just smirked shaking their heads and left, she figured.
"Bette...? Bette, darling...wake up..." Olivia tried whispering as the man raised his head from the sofa pillow to look at Olivia fully drunk.
"Whoa, lady. Who are you?"
"Who am I? Who the bloody hell are you?" But she didn't get an answer to that as his head fell back on the sofa. She heard him snore.
"Great...Bette!" She shouted this time.
"I swear I didn't see the fake id!" She hurried to mumble as Olivia laughed. "Oh, toots." Bette was relieved.
"Good morning your highness." Olivia mocked.
"Meh..."
"Mind explaining this?"
"Yes. I mind." She said eyes still shut.
"Ah, Bette! You should at least get this man up into your room, he's lying half naked on my sofa. I have a 3 year old in the house, for gods sake, he's very perceptive you know!" Olivia was appalled.
"A man, what man?" She looked around startled to then remember. "Ah...Giovanni..."
"Bette!"
"Alright alright, jeez. Come amore, come!"
Olivia had to laugh so hard at Bettes behavior that she woke the man up who was in his boxer shorts, trying to stand up and pick up his stuff from the floor.
Gregory walked in trough the patio door and looked confused at the play in front of his eyes. Giovanni turned around to him and looked at Gregory head to toe.
"You're a lucky man to live in this house not with one but with two! Of these..." he pointed at Bette and Olivia.
"That's my boss you lunatic now here, take your stuff and go!" Bette shouted feeling embarrassed.
Gregory didn't say a word to all of this, neither did Olivia. They just watched Bette and the man run upstairs fast to sleep their abusive use of alcohol off.
"We need to talk to Bette about this. We have a child in this house!" He was concerned.
"Oh Gregory, believe me she's usually not like this. It's because of the party, she had too much to drink, please don't say anything. I think she's feeling bad enough!"
"If you say so..but I don't feel comfortable knowing there's a latin lover in my house." he walked up to her and pulled her into a hug. "I missed you!"
"Already?" She was amused.
"I can't wait for this meeting to be over so that we can continue..." he gave her a few kisses .
"Oh my... we ...should be ...going now. Don't.."
"Don't what?" He continued kissing her.
"I though I had already begged you once. Don't torture me..." she was serious.
"You will have to get used to this kind of torture, Liv. Because I don't intend to stop until you make me."
She sighed but forced herself out of his grip, hitting him playfully with her hand. "We have to go now! We're late, this is so embarrassing!"
"Cait? Cait are you here?" Sean called in the living room.
"Here! I'm in the kitchen." She shouted back.
Sean walked in on her to find her devouring a huge bowl of ice cream.
"What's the matter with you? Can't be a hangover food craving since you haven't had anything to drink last night...what's this about?" He was amused.
"Oh, I just felt like eating ice cream that's all. Don't you ever want ice cream?" She put the bowl back in the fridge laughing.
"Not for breakfast I don't."
"Well, I do. Now tell me, what are you up to today?" She changed the subject fast.
"Actually nothing...how 'bout you?"
"Nothing...I wanted to visit mom and Trey today."
"Man..." Sean ran his hand trough his hair, "I miss that little bundle of joy around here!"
"Yeah, me too Sean. Me too..." Caitlin confessed somewhat heart broken.
"Don't you find all of this oddly suspicious?" Sean still had a lot of doubts concerning his entire family.
"What exactly?" Caitlin asked making herself a cup of tea.
Sean sighed : "everything, I mean... mom is staying in our old house. With Trey and Bette. Dad and Rose are practically moved in there too. Dad is letting us share this house...and he expects what, nothing in return? What about him and mom, they're constantly somewhere together but actually not together. I can't understand a thing that's going on!"
"I know, it's all very confusing. But think of it as a transit period until things get back to normal. Besides, having a whole house to ourselves is actually quite good! I can picture you and Emily living here with Cole and me in the future."
"That's exactly the point! Don't you see, dad never gives anything without expecting something in return...doesn't it surprise you that he lets Cole off the hook too easily? Even after what he did to mom? I have a feeling dad is up to something and it's going to smack us in the face worse that we think..." Sean expressed his worries.
"I think he's too busy with mom and the business to care too much about us, Sean. We barely see either of them...and that's good, I guess. "
"I don't know..."
"What about you Sean? You seem pretty angry with Cole ever since the incident with mom... are you still upset about that?"
"Cait...I'm only keeping my mouth shut because he is your husband. But what he tried to do...it's really completely out of line. If it weren't for you and Emily..." he tried being civil.
"So you're on dad's side on this one?" She asked worried.
"No! I'm on nobody's side. I'm on Trey's side if you really want a "side". He doesn't deserve this whole drama in his life. Cole is suspiciously cool with Trey being with mom too. I don't know what to make of all this."
"Maybe things are just turning good and we can live a peaceful life once and for all. Maybe we're just not used to this." Caitlin tried to put her own worries behind for the sake of her little secret.
"Dream on sis! Like this is ever going to be reality in this family!" Sean shook his head laughing. "I'm goin for a run but I want to join you when you visit mom. Give me a call before you leave."
"I will." Caitlin said sipping on her tea thoughtful and watched Sean leave.
She couldn't help thinking that her brother had a point there. Things were too peaceful. Their father was barely home, as Caitlin figured he's busy manipulating their mother into getting back with him. Their mother was too busy with Trey and the radio station. Caitlin sighed looking out the window and hoping Sean wasn't right. She missed her parents, her father most of all and wished they could be a happy - or at least normal - family. How would Gregory react to the news of her pregnancy? Did Olivia already tell him about it? Could it be that Sean was right to assume their father was plotting something on the long run?
Gregory took a hundred dollar bill and sticked it into Steve's pocket after getting out of the limo and waited for Olivia to follow.
"Mr. Richards." The young man didn't understand what he did to deserve it.
"Make yourself comfortable somewhere while we're in the meeting. I'll give you a call when we're done." Gregory felt generous
"Thank you mr. Richards. Mrs. Richards." He closed the door to the limo and made his way to the drivers seat.
"Someone's generous." Olivia smiled at him while he grabbed her by the waist just to kiss her again. "Gregory...we're in public." She giggled.
"So what? Let the whole world see us!" He said excited.
"I think we should take it slow...we're confusing everybody." She said while they took a few steps towards the building.
"You didn't sound like wanting to take things slow last night..or this morning..." he whispered in her ear grinning.
"Ah! I beg your pardon!"
"Relax. It was just a tease...I loved it tough." He couldn't help laughing.
"What is the matter with you?" She couldn't help laughing herself trying to keep her cool at the same time.
"I'm happy, that's the matter! Hell I didn't feel so alive and good in ages! I love you! And I want everybody to see it and know it!"
"You never cease to amaze me mr Richards..." she looked at him seeing the man she fell in love with all those years ago.
"Our lovebirds arrived." Samuel looked out the window laughing and shaking his head at the picture he was witnessing. "That's how I met them 15 years ago. To see them like this today...it's actually giving me hope for humanity." He continued.
Leo marched to the window to see it for himself, watching Gregory nuzzling Olivia's ear and obviously whispering something to make her giggle like a teenage girl. He swallowed a lump from his throat, being annoyed by the show.
"It's nearly 11, they're late!" He let out while Ben laughed in his chair.
"You haven't seen half of what they're pulling off when they're like this..."
"I can't believe this is actually happening." Maria said content. "After all the events lately...it's a miracle."
"Miracles can happen..." Ben let out looking at his wife who was smiling his way.
"Well!" Leo clapped his hands. "Can we start the presentation then? We need to get down to business."
Ben eyed Leo a bit suspicious. No one expected the meeting to actually start so early after a party, just as everybody was feeling tired and wishing they could sleep some more. Why was Leo so serious?
The elevator doors closed as Gregory pushed the button to the third floor.
"Remember the last time you and I were in an elevator?" He came closer.
"Oh God!" She laughed. "I most certainly do!"
"I couldn't believe what was happening to me...I couldn't get certain pictures of you out of my head..."
"You were drugged Gregory!" Olivia said serious.
"I was indeed. But my heart wasn't. I always knew who I wanted by my side... I meant every word I told you then..."
"Gregory...please don't remind me..." she said while the doors opened up.
"Why not?"
"Because...as much as I want to believe that it was real...you ended up going upstairs with Annie!" She walked out heading for the conference room.
"And you ended up going home with AJ!" He paid her back.
"Ahah! What, so you think...?" She was starting to get angry.
"Didn't you?"
"For Gods sake! You really think I could have slept with him after what you did to me in that elevator? I cried myself to sleep that night!" She was out of her mind upset.
"Liv..."
"Let me guess, you dealt with that differently, didn't you?" She hissed while Samuel opened the door to see them both upset and frowning.
"Liv..."
"Don't you Liv me!"
Samuel was open mouthed as Olivia walked past him, her head held up high.
"Morning Samuel!" She said short.
"What the hell happened?" He asked Gregory who walked past him muttering a "morning".
Samuel couldn't believe the two of them. One minute drowning in adoration for one another and the next thing you know throwing imaginary darts at one another. He couldn't help thinking at Gregory's statement from the party, that they were the "usual tornado" and how accurate it was.
"Well...nice that you two have finally made it. Mrs. Richards, mr. Richards!" Leo greeted while Olivia took a seat next to Maria and Gregory on the other side of the table next to Ben, eyeing Olivia with a huge frown on his face. Olivia didn't even bother looking at him, knowing how much he hated to be ignored by her.
Suits him right! He's such a bastard! she thought while flipping the agenda.
Damn you Olivia, you're not getting away with this! Gregory promised himself while both Maria and Ben were very confused at the strange vibes coming from them.
"So, you might ask yourselves why we gathered you here today. It's my honor to introduce to you our vision of the Marina area in this town!" Leo started skipping the good mornings. "This, ladies and gentlemen, will be the next breakthrough in urban development!" He flipped to an overall birds eye perspective, a 3D sketch of the town section.
"The program includes the building of 3 new skyscrapers, a golf club, a yacht club, a leisure park and shopping facilities, a new face to the typical Southern Californian Typologie of..." he went on explaining.
Gregory couldn't listen to a word he said as he couldn't get over his discussion with Olivia. It wasn't the first time she managed to get him mad out of his mind during a meeting. But usually she was at home, drinking herself into oblivion while he was at the office trying to concentrate on his business. Things were different now tough, she couldn't be bothered to be the same weak creature she used to be, behaving even worse now, ignoring him and strutting her confidence right under his nose while he was expected to keep his calm.
"...for the design of the skyscrapers , we should consider involving this countries leading architects to attract the media and future clients with famous names. I have few in mind but I think it's too soon to discuss such details. Now, i know from you, Mr. Evans, that your wife has her own experience with design and architecture so I would suggest that she will keep an eye on the development on that department to assure that our wishes and only our wishes are being pursued during this project. Furthermore, Mr. Richards, you will have the real estate Programm under your responsibility together with Mr. Evans. Mrs. Richards, you will make sure to propagate this project and let it shine in the best light for the media, coordinating every publicity detail. Samuel will help you furthermore to expand the publicity on a national level, to make sure this expands in every corner of this country. The long term goal is to set a mark so strong, that other cities will regard us, this team, as here present, to be the leading team all over the United States. This project will be our flagship, followed by dozens of other projects." Leo finished his speech and waited for reactions.
Olivia was impressed at Leo's presentation but wasn't surprised of his qualities since she knew he had potential from the moment she saw his curriculum at the radio station. She also knew how much Gregory and Ben always dreamed of getting a chance to play on a national level, yet she couldn't keep asking:
"What will your attribution be in all this, Leo?" not mentioning his last name on purpose.
"Well, Olivia, I may call you by your first name?" He smirked knowing they've been there before, a detail that didn't slip Gregory's sharp mind.
"Sure." She said unimpressed.
"Well, Olivia, I will monitor the whole project and maintain the connections to all important participants. From you to the architects to the contractors, the engineers, the clients. I will do everything in my power to establish this project and make sure it's right on track." He explained.
Ben began asking about financials and investments.
"Did you prepare any cost estimations yet?"
"Well, Samuel and I have a vague notion about the costs. We consider to break the project down in several construction areas, in different stages so that we can assure ..." Gregory lost again track of the explanations.
I wonder what that god damned smirk on the idiots face meant. Why did he smile at her like that? What are you hiding Olivia? his paranoia took the overhand over his thoughts.
Olivia felt that he wasn't listening to the discussion between Ben and Leo and looked into Gregory's eyes for the first time since the meeting started. He was shooting fiery arrows at her, his body language betraying his state of mind, stiff, worried and ready to explode.
"Gregory?" Ben repeated. "What do you think about this?"
"I'm sorry Ben...Well," he coughed looking for composure, "I think this sounds fascinating. But I'm not sure that this type of project is suitable for a small towns marina area...why here? What can this new urban development offer to the inhabitants of this town?"
"Well, besides employment and a status landmark?" Samuel interfered.
"I think we should see the greater picture here nonetheless. Sunset beach doesn't need another hotel, it doesn't need another shopping area...this little towns small private business are embedded in the life and culture of this town. It's the flagship of this town. Why would we want to change that?" He insisted.
"Are you saying you're not agreeing to this project?" Ben asked.
"I think Gregory is right!" Maria threw in as everyone watched her. "From the perspective of urban development, the need and logic behind such a project needs to be proved in a feasibility study."
"Thank you Maria. This is exactly what I mean. Don't get me wrong Samuel, if we were in any other big city I would agree on this immediately. But Sunset Beach? I don't know what to make of this..." he said as Samuel had to agree to the objection.
"Well, we need that feasibility study then before even discussing further details." Ben agreed too. "Olivia? What do you think?"
"I will have to agree with Gregory on this one. I can't imagine a project of this proportion in our small town surroundings. I am sure we need a different perspective on things. Maybe rethink the concept parameters... we can use a lot of the impulses you have given us Leo, but this has to mean something for the people here, you know?" She said while Maria was nodding.
"Alright. I think...To sum up your worries...I need to spend much more time...learning about the inhabitants of this town. Their habits, their preferences, the things they love in order to trigger a concept that will sweep them off their feet and fall for this project." Leo elaborated locking eye contact with Olivia as she was sure he wasn't talking only about the project. Gregory was brooding inside, anticipating Leo's intentions and watched Olivia's reaction knowing she probably understood more than she wanted to let out.
"Alright then. Let's call this a day and think about it for a couple of days. We are in no hurry." Samuel dismissed the meeting.
Olivia stood up fast and wanted to flea knowing what was going to happen. She said goodbye to Maria and Ben politely and rushed out the door as Gregory followed.
"Excuse me, I have an unfinished talk with Olivia!" He excused himself while Ben and Maria looked puzzled.
"You!" Gregory shouted on the hallway as Olivia was about to enter the elevator. "Stop it Olivia!" He saw her pushing the buttons frantically on the panel.
"Just leave me alone! I have nothing to say, I need to be alone now!" She was worried he'd make it to keep the doors open. And he did.
He pushed the door back open and entered the elevator, as another employee wanted to enter it. Gregory threw him out and suggested for him to use the stairs instead since this was going to take some time.
"Ah! God you are so rude!" She ranted.
"Me? Me? I am rude?" He was losing it. "What was that all about in there? Who is this guy?"
"What on earth are you talking about?"
"Don't play the fool with me Olivia! First you make a scene because of our elevator incident, as if you were jealous, then you stop talking to me, and then you flirt with that guy? In front of my eyes?"
"I didn't do such a thing!" She shouted.
Gregory exploded and pressed a button to stop the elevator between the floors. He grabbed Olivia's shoulders and slammed her against the elevator wall while she started to be afraid of him.
"Gregory! You're hurting me!"
"I am hurting you?! And what are you doing to me? Huh? Did you sleep with that man? Olivia!?" He couldn't control his anger any longer.
"Oh right! Of course. What else could I do with a man besides sleeping with him!?" She mocked him.
"Did you!?" Gregory shouted louder.
"No for gods sake! Let me go!" She begged.
Gregory let go of her but the anger wasn't gone.
"Why did he seem to know you so well then? Or are you going to say I'm imagining things?"
"Gregory, you're completely wrong in your assumptions!" Her voice turned softer trying to calm him down.
"Am I? Then please, explain. Why did you run off the Deep last night after you had a talk with him in the vip lounge? Why did you insist to come to this meeting today? Why are you doing everything in your power to drive me nuts? Why did you love me last night and this morning...? Why Olivia?..." he started to get a trembling voice.
"Gregory...I...I can't explain this right now. Let's go home and I'll tell you everything." She tried to convince him to get out of there knowing that soon someone will get them out of that elevator if they liked it or not.
"No, not home. Now! Did you or didn't you sleep with him?" He shouted again.
"Oh my god Gregory, is this all you can think about? What is this, some kind of payback for earlier because I revealed your "love night" with Annie after she drugged you with Niagra?"
"Don't change the subject!"
"Why not? Be honest you can't stand the fact that you screwed up, literally! And you can't change the facts, there is no excuse!"
"I don't need an excuse, I was married to her!"
"Well, good for you. Guess a piece of paper is an idiot proof guarantee to go ahead and screw things up without consequences!" She shouted.
"Olivia I'm warning you!"
"What? What are you going to do?" She provoked him as he again slammed her against the elevator wall. They were both on the peaks of madness, wanting to tear the other up but their desperate attempt to a fight ended up with both of them giving in to a kiss. Olivia protested at first but Gregory slammed her back to the wall so many times until she gave up. He managed to dominate her and make her feel sorry for her scene. He did it again.
She moaned between trying to free herself from his grip and giving in to his power until they both heard the elevator doors open up, with a crowd of people gathered in the lobby, including a confused technician, Leo, Samuel, Maria and Ben who took the stairs and other employees who didn't know what to think.
They parted from their kiss sighing deeply and breathing short and fast while facing the audience.
Olivia was close to tears and ran away, pushing the crowd apart before making a complete fool out of herself. He did it again. He just did it again...
"What in Gods name was that?" Samuel asked watching Olivia storm out of the building.
"Don't even ask..." Gregory said looking disgusted at Leo.
The people surrounding them started to go their ways, some still with insecure looks on their faces, probably worrying more about the "malfunction" of the elevator than about what happened in it since few knew what was going on.
"No, really. Are you okay? I mean, you've walked in this place all happy and by the time you made it to the third floor you were two different people..." Samuel was confused.
"Everything is alright, honestly. Thank you for your concern." Gregory tried to regain composure.
"The usual tornado, huh?"
"Tornado, volcano, whatever you would like to call her, she's got it." He laughed to downsize the situation. "Ben. I need a word with you. You too Maria." He asked for a private conversation.
"Alright, let's go to my office." Ben offered as the three of them turned around leaving Samuel and Leo behind.
"Well, what the heck, they were always unpredictable. Don't worry about the project Leo, their marital crisis has absolutely no influence on the decisions to be made. Just stick to your work, have some analysis prepared and we're good." Samuel assured him.
"...Marital?"
"Well, I know them long enough to know that they have always been like this. Admitted, I never thought they'd divorce but...you saw them earlier..." Samuel was sure. "As I said. Don't worry about the project. They never did anything to endanger the business and I'm sure they won't start doing that now."
Its not the business I'm worrying about... Leo thought to himself and added: "Well, I'm sure things will work out for the best." He grinned.
"Ben, Maria, I need to make a call. I need to check up on something. Would it be alright if I join you in a few minutes?" Gregory excused himself leaving Maria and Ben in his office.
"Sure. Go ahead." Ben said short turning back to Maria who was clearly worried about everything.
Gregory frowned again, his mind was working quick. He knew he went overboard with his insinuations but clearly Olivia knew something about Leo and wasn't telling him. He also knew immediately that Leo had other intentions than the Marina project and it was eating him up to see him swirl around Olivia let alone be involved in a long term project with them and having the chance to be around her. He couldn't let that happen.
After finishing the call he made to his contact person, Gregory walked in the office to see Ben and Maria pretty worked up.
"Alright, Ben, Maria, following procedure" he startet without losing time. "I need a complete background check in this Leo guy. I need to know everything about him, including what he had for breakfast this morning!" He was tormented.
Maria let a smile out much to Gregory's wondering.
"Ben and I were just saying the same thing. I saw you don't trust him and for all we know his intentions could damage us." She explained.
"Finally someone thinking clear around here!" Gregory smirked. "It's not something I can say about Olivia..." he was still worked up because of her.
"Gregory...what the hell happened between the two of you on the way up here?" Ben wanted to understand.
Gregory sighed knowing how ridiculous it actually was.
"Well...ah...this is so complicated. During my marriage with Annie..." he started while Maria was listening closely. "Annie she drugged me with Niagra one night..."
"She did what?" Maria couldn't believe it as Ben broke into laughter.
"It's not funny Ben!" Gregory was appalled.
"I'm sorry but this is so Annie. I can't believe you didn't have your back covered 24/7 with her around you." Ben found it amusing.
"Anyway, she drugged me so that I would sleep with her in order to get her shares from Del."
"How sick of that man...poor Annie..." Maria let out.
"Problem was I drank the spiked water and left downstairs. When I wanted to go back to the suite, I took the elevator wich had an earthquake damage...and along came Olivia..."
"Oh my God!" Maria was anticipating what happened.
"Yes...long story short: I was this close to sleeping with Olivia in that damn elevator. But Annie interfered as usual, telling Olivia about everything on the phone."
"So Olivia thought you were just trying to take advantage of her." Ben added.
"Not only did she think I would take advantage of her but by the time we got out of that elevator, Annie and AJ were both there waiting for us and we both left our ways..."
"And you slept with Annie..." Ben knew Gregory too well.
"I couldn't help myself..." Gregory admitted.
"So today, when you both entered that elevator, it all came back to you..." Maria concluded while Gregory sank his head.
"It came back alright, but you see, one minute she's all jealous and the next thing I know she's acting suspicious around this Leo character..." he couldn't understand yet. "On our way downstairs I confronted her about him, blocking the elevator between the floors. I asked her if...if she slept with him...I guess I lost it."
"Gregory, you need to stop these outbursts. That's not how you're going to fix everything." Ben advised.
"Don't you think I know? Damn it! But I can't lose the feeling there is more to her and him than she wants me to know. What else could I think?"
"You need to learn to trust each other again. I know Olivia gave you every reason for you to doubt her fidelity but you know how much she suffered because of her past infidelities, don't you think she learned from all of this?." Maria was understanding.
"I don't know what to think...but what I know is - and this is where I need you both - that Olivia won't agree with coming to the Palm Springs board meeting after what happened today. And there is no way in hell I'm leaving her here alone."
"What do you think we can do to help?" Ben asked.
"I think Maria can help a lot actually."
"Me?" Maria was unsure.
"Yes. I need you to talk her into coming with us."
"But she's not going to listen to me. Besides, Annie and Jude are coming too, Alex should be invited too since she was also involved in the project...I think that's going to be a deadly combination...I mean, don't get me wrong, I wish you two could use the time to get yourselves back on track but I'm afraid it's not going to be so easy..." Maria explained.
"Look, I know this will be a pretty complicated situation but not having her with me..." he paused knowing he never usually was the type to let his guard down.
"Well...I'll see what I can do but I can't promise you anything." Maria replied.
"Toots! There you are!" Bette greeted from the sofa while having a cup of strong coffee.
"Sleep Well?" Olivia gave back smirking.
"My God Livvy I am so so sorry for the scene this morning! I am so embarrassed. I swear this won't ever happen again! Did Greggy say anything about this?" Bette was worried.
"Relax Bette, it was clearly not okay but I think we can look past it and move on...just keep your affairs private from now on will you?" she said looking upset but Bette couldn't help thinking it wasn't because of her scene this morning.
"Alright, what's going on?" She questioned.
"Nothing.."
"Nothing? Come on stop trying to play with me! I know somethings wrong. Is it Gregory?"
"How'd you know?" Olivia was sarcastic.
"What else could it be? It's always him you have on your mind. Now tell me what happened."
"Oh...we...we had a fight."
"Wow. Now that's new. Was it because of Alex?"
"No...Alex is another unresolved chapter but...it wasn't Alex. It was us as usual. I can't do this anymore..." Olivia started crying.
"Hey, Hey toots, don't cry. I don't even get it, he spent the night here didn't he?"
"Yes, he did. We had such a wonderful time last night, it was so good to be with him again...and this morning we talked a lot about our past and I honestly thought we could put it all behind us but..."
"But what?"
"It always keeps coming back. I can't lose the feeling that this time, we won't be able to overcome this..." she cried resting her head on Bettes shoulder.
"Livvy, don't worry really, look how far you've come both. I mean just think about it, he's out of jail, he's running his business with your help, you're in control of everything you own, you're at least agreeing on Trey, you're talking."
"Trey...I don't think I can keep up this arrangement. I can't have Gregory in and out of my bed, it's driving me crazy!"
"He doesn't have to be out of your bed! Just calm down both of you!"
"You know what the worst part is Bette?" She paused "that I actually understood and learned something today. Gregory and I will never be able to trust each other again."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because...hah! He flipped out today thinking that I've slept with Leo...and he threw that in my face and he..."
"Whow, rewind that please. Leo? Same Leo involved in Greggy's blackmail?"
"Yes..."
"How? Why...how did you even?" Bette didn't understand the connections.
"Leo is working for Samuel now."
"No way!"
"I'm afraid so. He and Samuel are staying a few days in Sunset Beach to discuss a new project with us. Samuel wants to invest in this...Leo would coordinate the whole thing."
"Oh my God! You were in a meeting with that guy and didn't say anything?"
"How could I? Samuel's interest in this is real. Gregory and Ben need this investment and this kind of help. It's all he and Ben ever wanted. If I would tell Gregory who Leo really is, he would immediately reject the project and he can't do that!"
"But, toots, aren't you afraid that Leo will turn out to double cross you?"
"No, what can he do? He is just Samuels employee. And Samuel is our friend he would never let that happen."
"Oh...I don't like this toots..."
"Well I don't like this either but it's a good thing after everything that happened!"
"So you and Leo acted very familiar around each other and Greggy with his eagle eyes on you probably noticed that immediately..."
"Yes. But to go from there to accuse me of sleeping with him! That's obnoxious!"
"Well, I'm sorry to say this but you gave him enough reasons to act like this."
"Who's side are you on Bette?! You're supposed to be my friend!"
"Relax, Okay. I'm just trying to make you understand each other since obviously you can't do anything but fume and explode around each other! Why can't you just let go of all this anger?"
"Because he can't let go of it! He always jumps right to conclusions instead of listening to me. I wanted to tell him the truth but here, at home, not making a scene at the media center...but no. He had to know immediately..."
"Well, you know Greggy. Patience is not his middle name!" Bette laughed.
"Look, all I know is that I don't want him around me anymore right now. I need to be with my son and alone." She stood up and headed for treys room.
"Yeah, like Gregory is going to allow that to happen..." Bette muttered and took another sip of coffee.
"Greggy! Heeey." Bette jumped right to Gregory as she heard him walk in.
"Bette. Is Olivia upstairs?" He cut to the chase.
"Na ah ah! I wouldn't go up there if I were you..." she tried to keep him from going further.
"Bette...please."
"Greggy, she needs to be alone. You are the last thing she needs right now."
"So she told you everything..."
"Of course. We're bffs remember?" She let a laugh out.
"Then you know how important it is that I speak to her. I behaved like an idiot earlier..."
"Greggy, Greggy...come sit with me." She invited him on the sofa. "What are you going to do, tell her you're sorry?"
"For example..."
"No. Don't do this." She said while Gregory looked confused.
"Why?"
"You don't just get such an outburst and then go like: "I'm sorry!". You can't expect her to take you seriously if you always explode on the first sign of trouble. You are beyond the point where you can apologize with words and expect her to buy it!"
"So what should I do in your opinion?" He asked at a loss as Bette had to laugh.
"Oh boy, I didn't see the day coming where you would ask Moi for advice. You really changed, didn't you? Is it for the better or the worse I wonder. What did you do to Greggy?" She made fun.
"Bette...tell me. I don't want... this and she doesn't want it either. I need to be with her and with Trey...and I want her to come with me to the board meeting in Palm Springs."
"Ahah! Dream on. She'll never agree to that."
"She has to!"
"Look, I know how you feel when you see men around her being a little too friendly. I know she gave you tons of reasons to suspect her...but I also know and trust me this time! I know she would never put her family at risk for some guy she just met."
"I wish I could believe that she "just" met him. You don't happen to know anything about this, do you?"
"Gregory! Believe me when I say that I know she didn't betray you, she couldn't after everything that you've been trough!" Bette avoided the actual question. "Do you really think she could do it after everything she did for you in the past months?" She continued.
"I want to believe it, damn it! I just...it all came back to me. I had to think about Del and Cole and AJ and that she shared things with them she only should have shared with me!"
"Yeah, I know...she has hurt you a lot by using the worst weapon she holds against you. Her own self. But you also did a lot of nasty things Greggy. Now you should both just calm down for once and stop being so damn impulsive!" She advised.
Gregory smiled knowing she was right. "How do I get her to come with me? How do I get her to forgive me and open up to me?"
"Honestly? By leaving her alone for the moment."
"I can't do that!" He stood up. "I need to see Trey. I want to spend time with him."
"Does it have to be today?"
"Yes! Today and every day from now on as a matter of fact! I'm going upstairs!"
"Gregory! Just please...don't push her. You should have learned by now that the more you push her, the faster she runs away. You have to take it slow, don't pressure her into giving you answers right away..."
"Thank you Bette." He smiled, "I appreciate your concern very much!"
"Don't thank me. Just do the right thing!" She asked of him as he headed upstairs.
He walked trough the hallway and saw the door to Trey's room open. He took little steps towards his room and peaked inside to see Olivia on the rocking chair with Trey on her lap who was sleeping, his head rested on her chest. He smiled at the view that stirred so many emotions in him. She hummed a melody he couldn't recognize, probably that's how she got him to sleep, he thought. Trey began denying his lunch naps by now and it was always a terror act to get him to sleep or to calm down. He was active and just wanted to explore the world...he grew up so quickly.
Olivia's humming had something soothing and relaxing, it was probably also how she got herself to calm down after the rage and anger they brought up to the surface earlier.
Gregory felt the urge to walk into the room and talk to her, explain himself and make everything alright again, just the way it was this morning. Gregory couldn't believe how fast things can change. This morning things were perfect, troubled indeed but still perfect because they had opened up to each other. How could she not want this too, he asked himself. How come it became so easy to suppress their real feelings and hurt separately instead of being together? When did they even start to make hurting easy?
The more he thought about it, the more he had the feeling he actually hated himself for what he had allowed to happen all these years. Did she hate herself too, he wondered. Suddenly he had pictures and flashbacks of all the nasty things they said to each other, the violent outbursts they threw at each other, how he found out about Cole and her, how he had to watch her being with AJ every day, how he framed her for murder, how she found her way back into his heart while he pretended to be Tobias... all these scenes in the back of his mind playing to the hum of her voice that was relaxing the tense vibes. He was at a loss for words. He figured that even if he would walk into the room, he wouldn't be able to say a word. All he could do would be to start crying - Gregory Richards crying! This thought alone made him cringe...but he would and he would desperately hold her and their son. Gregory longed to hold his son and to be with him but he knew that if he did walk in, he would interrupt this calm scene that played in front of his eyes and for the sake of that serenity, he chose not to follow his desire. He couldn't help thinking that Bette was probably right and that he should leave Olivia alone for the moment.
"Wow that was fast. Should I worry?" Bette asked Gregory as he came downstairs to sit next to her on the sofa.
„Oh Bette, I decided to follow your advice..."
„Wohow...I can't believe it!" She was amazed.
„I watched her with Trey, she didn't notice me. She cradled him in the rocking chair and hummed a wonderful melody that put him to sleep. It was the most beautiful thing I've seen in ages." He was terribly moved.
„Aw, Greggy!" Bette cupped his face.
„I guess that will have to do for today." He said hurt.
„Oh just be patient, she'll come around you'll see. Greggy, now don't mind me being nosy but...I can't help wondering what you're plans are."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean everything...look I know you have a lot of work to do and a lot of things to put in order after everything that's happened, but...this lifestyle you have right now..."
"Lifestyle?"
"Yes, you're constantly away and up to something, the media center, the newspaper, Livvy...you two barely see Caitlin and Sean anymore...don't you care about them?"
"Of course I do! I'm not trough with them Bette. They have lost track of their lives and I'm going to make sure they find their paths again...but I also understand that they're grown up and I can't keep on interfering with their lives. I need them to find their way to me and Olivia again. By themselves."
"But they are trying to. There's just nobody there at the end of the line. You and Livvy are confusing them."
"I don't think they care much about Olivia and me..." he said knowing they screwed up with their grown up children.
"But you're wrong! They do! They still need their parents." Bette was convinced.
"One thing at a time Bette. Anyway, I'm going back to the house now and see what they're up to. Besides, I have Tobias there to watch them. And Rose."
"Rose! God you should give that woman a raise!" Bette laughed.
"Yeah, She is confused too I know. She's managing two houses right now, I don't even know if I should get her to stay here or leave her at the other house..."
"Things are really complicated. A lot of people suffer alongside with you and Livvy...everyone is."
Gregory raised an eyebrow and thought about it for the first time that Bette was right with everything she said.
"Bette. That can change. But I need your help..."
"I don't think I like the sound of this!" She saw a spark in his eyes that reminded her of the old Gregory who was plotting trouble.
"Trust me, it's for the best. I need you to convince Olivia to come with me to Palm Springs."
"Why? Let her be here at home with Trey! Let her have some space."
"Bette, I'm afraid that if I do, I'll lose her...for good."
"No you won't! Don't be silly!" She tried to make him calm down.
"I can't let that happen. I need her to come with me."
"You really are a pain..." she said while they both laughed.
"Look, Ben and Maria are with me on this one. If I could count on you too..."
"What do you have in mind?"
"Just talk to her...convince her it's for the interest of our family. She won't turn that down." He was manipulative.
"...oooh..."
"Please Bette."
"Oh alright!" She gave in while he smiled.
"There is one more thing I need you to do." He stood up heading for the patio door.
"What?"
"I need you to write in your column about the board meeting."
"What? In the gossip column?" She didn't follow.
"Yes, you see...if you write about it in your column, people will know there is something really juicy going on and it will attract them like moths to the flame."
"But, you usually don't want me to do that...what's changed?"
"Bette, lets call it controlled gossip. You pretend it's gossip when in fact, it's just well placed publicity. It's what we want this town to know and believe. We're just pulling the strings." He smirked.
"You really are a fox!" She had to laugh at his plots. "Gregory Richards...you are too much for words! Alright, what do you want me to write?" Bette asked picking up a pen and paper.